Gate latch and opener



May 18, 1948,- c. E. DOLE GATE LATCH AND OPENER Filed March 22, 1947 INVENTOR. CHESTER E. DOLE BY $7M M20 ArTOkNE Y3.

Patented May 18, 1948 UNITED STATES PAT E NT 'OFFPI CE I 2,441,691 ounmrcn AND OPENER 'Chester'E'Bole, Vallejm-Odlif. Application March 22, 1947, Serial No. 136,466

'10 Claims.

1 a This invention .relates .to a .gate latch or the like and has for one .of its objects the provision of .a latch that is economical vto .make, easy to operate, and that is automatically restored to gatei-holding position after each operation lthereof, and which latch includes means for auto imatically swinging .therga'te open upon .each such operation.

.Another object of the invention is .the .provision of asimple -latch adapted to be actuated .by the foot of aperson from either side of the gate or Jdoor,-and which latch includesmeansfior .forcibly swinging .the gate open upon actuation thereof for releasing the gate.

vA still iurther object of the invention .is the provision of a springless gate or .door latch including .means .iorcibly swinging the gate open upon actuation :of .the latch Ior releasing the gate, and which latch further includes a Weight for restoring the .latch and the means for swinging the gate back to a position ior latching the gate when the latter swings to closed :position and for again swinging the gate open.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description (and in the drawings.

In the .drawingsliig. l .isia perspective view of a fragment of the gate (along the edge opposite its hinges) showing .the .latch bar -andone .of the elements A employed for-swinging the .gate open.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of .a .fragment of the gate jamb showing the -catch and the :means for releas-ably holding thelatch :bar and for swinging the-gate.

Fig. i 3 is an --elevational view showing the latch elements from the oppositesideof the latch supporting plate seen in Fig. '2. I p

In Fig. -2 a iragment of the .latch bar .and .a portion of the element that cooperates with the catch are indicated .in normal .position when the gate is .closed. Figs. -1 and -2 'as seen on the sheetare shown in generally the same [positions relative to each other as they would he .in-actual use, except that-they are separated for .clarity in-aboutthe same manner-as though. liiigs. 1 .and

2 were eons'ideredtogther as an exploded view of the latch bar and catch.

In detail, the ilatch'bar comprises a lhorizonta'lly extending bar .I :t-hat is ipivotally secured by .a horizontal pivot 2 to a plate 3. The pivot I2 is atone .end other I 'andthe opposite end 4 projectsloutwardlyiof the edge of .plate =3. A keeper 5 is secured to plate3 and extends over the end The plate 3 is adapted .to be secured by any suitable means, .such .as screws or bolts 6 .to any desired ,part of the .gate, but along'the free edge 10f the latter that is opposite the hinges (not bar 'toplace the said outer end inamore desirof bar 1 adjacent .:its outer end 4 forsupporting the bar generally horizontal while upward movement :of .said end 4.

able position for engagement by the catch that.

is on the jarrib, but said .ofl'set isno't essential and if the plate 3 were secured on pickets .8 the bar could be straight.

The catch elements are carried on aplate '9 that is adapted .to be secured to the fjamb vIii of 'thegate byany suitable means, such .as screws :11. This plate is adapted .tobe secured on the Ziace o'f thejam'b jtha'tifaces the gate. 1

Adhorizontally extending retainerstrip I5 is secured "toplate 19 'in spaced opposed relation to thesideof saidlp'la'te facing theigate. This strip [5 .is formed integrally with a horizontally disposed shelf [5 along its lower edge 'that extends to plate 19 and a downward projection I! that extends downwardly "from shelf 16 and that is secured to plate 9 by "bolts orscrews IB.

Retainer strip 15 has .a vertically extending end .edge .10 at .one end and against which the outer end '4 of the latch bar .I is adapted to engage when the gate is closed. -Said end of the latch bar is indicated at 4 in Fig. '2 in dot-dash lines.

The upper edge 21 of theretainer. strip extends slantingly downwardly and convergently fre'lative 'to shelf T6 in direction away from -the .end edgeIZO. V p v Extending longitudinally of shelf I6 over the latter vand .hetween plate '9 and retainer strip 15 is a horizontally extending arm 25. This arm 25 extends .beyond the end edge 20 of-reta'iner -strip.l.5 and has an .upwardpro'jection'fi formed integrally ltherewith. This projection preferably :curves slightly in direction away from the retainer .stripatits upper-end?! and said projection constitutes a gate actuating means for Iforcibly swinging the-gate open, as will .be later described. At this pointlit is lto .be noted that the outerend '4 of the latch bar I extends across the projecting .end'o'i arm Til-between edge 28 of retainer plate 15.andtheprojectmn. I

The .arm '25 is pivoted intermediate its ends on a horizontal pivot vZ8 that extends through 1 5 the convergent .end of strip 15, and said arm extends past said pivot in direction away from said convergent end of strip l terminating in the form of a fiat pedal 30.

This projecting end 30 of arm 25 is adjacent one of the lateral sides of jamb II] that is adjacent the side to which plate 9 is secured. Upon depressing the pedal or end 30, it will be seen that the opposite end of said arm will be elevated thus lifting the end '4 of the latch bar clear of the retainer strip l5 and at the same time the upper end 21 of projection 26 will swing generally laterally in direction across the plate 9 toward pedal 30.

Rigidly secured to the gate above the latch 7 bar is a horizontally extending strip 3| that projects at one end 32 outwardly of the same edge of the gate as the end 4 of the latch bar. This projecting end 32 may be rounded andis adapted to extend across the side of the upper end 21 of projection 26 in the path of travel of the latter when it is swung by depression of pedal 30. Normally the projection 32 is spaced from the end 21 of projection 21 a slight distance,

'thereof. The invention isapplicable to a door,

but just as soon as latch end 4 clears the upper edge of strip l5 the projection 32 will be engaged by end 21 and continued movement of the end 21 will forcibly swing the gate open.

A clevis 33 may be swingably secured on pro- J'ection 32 for swinging into engagement with the end 21 when the gate is closed so that the end 21 extends into the clevis for locking the end 21 against swinging a suflicient distance to permit latch end 4 from clearing the strip l5. However, when the clevis is in the position seen in Fig. 1 it is inoperative for locking the gate closed.

A strip 35 parallel with arm 25 extends across the opposite side of plate 9 from arm 25 and into a recess cut in the jamb Hi. The end of strip 35 that is about opposite the end ofarm 25 that carries projection 26 is pivotally secured to plate 9 by pivot 31. The other end of strip 35 is adjacent the pedal 30 and is bent at right angles toward arm 25 to form an end portion 38 extending across the edge of plate 9. The terminating end of portion 38 is preferably reduced to form a cylindrical pin 39 that extends through a horizontal slot 40 that is formed in arm 25.

A second arm 42 is spaced below strip 35 and is on the same side of plate 9 as said strip. This arm is pivoted by pivot 43 to plate 9 adjacent the edge of said plate across which the portion 38 of said strip extends.

The other end of arm 42 projects from the side of jamb Ill opposite the side from which pedal 30 projects, and said other end terminates in a pedal 44 that is similar to pedal 30. A link 45 is pivotally connected at one end by pivot 46 to strip 35 at a pointintermediate the pivot 31 and portion 38 but nearer the former. The opposite end of link 45 is pivoted at 41 to arm 42. Thus, upon depressing the pedal 44 the arm 25 will be actuated in exactly the same manner as though pedal 30 were depressed and the end 4 of the latch bar I will clear strip l5 and projection 26 will forcibly swing the gate open through engagement between end 21 and the projecting end 32 of strip 3|.

In order to restore the catch elements which comprise arms, 25, 42 and their associated memand instead of being placed at the lower portion of agate, as shown in the drawing, so as to be actuated by the foot of a person, it may be placedhig'her up for manual operation. Foot operation is preferable since a person may readily open-the gate when the hands are occupied by carrying packages or other articles.

1. A latch including a horizontally extending latch bar pivoted at one end for upward swinging of the opposite end, a catch comprising a base element and a pair of horizontally opposed members adjacent thereto, said opposite end of said latch bar being adapted to extend over said element and between said members when said latch bar is secured on a gate and the catch is secured on the jamb and when said gate is closed, means for so securing said latch bar and said catch on such gate and jamb respectively, means supporting said element for upward movement to lift said latch bar a distance for clearing the upper end of one of said opposed members to thereby permit swinging of such gate in one direction, depressible means connected with said element for causing said movement, gate actuating means connected with said depressible means supported for generally lateral movement in said one direction substantially simultaneously with said upward movement of said element, means adapted to be secured to such gate for engagement by said gate actuating means upon said lateral movement of the latter for forcibly swinging said gate in said one direction upon actuation of said depressible means for elevating said element and said latch bar.

2. A latch including a horizontally extending latch bar pivoted at one end for upward swinging of the opposite end, a catch comprising a base element and a pair of horizontally opposed members adjacent thereto, said opposite end of said latch bar being adapted to extend over said element and between said members when said latch bar is secured on a gate and the catch is secured on the jamb and when said gate is closed, means for so securing said latch bar and said catch on such gate and jamb respectively, means supporting said element for upward movement to lift said latch bar a distance for clearing the upper end of one of said opposed members to thereby permit swinging of such gate in one direction, depressible means connected with said element for causing said movement, gate actuating means connected with said depressible means supported for generally lateral movement in said one direction substantially simultaneously with said upward movement of said element, means adapted to be secured tosuch gate for engagement by the latter for forcibly swinging said gate in said one direction upon actuation of said depressible means for elevating said element and said latch bar, gravity actuated means connected with said depressible means and with said element for automatically elevating said depressible '5 means; and, for lowering said: after each depression. oi the formers. 7 I

3-.jA latchj including a. a allyeictendin'g latch. bar pivoted at; one (end for ing of the opposite end; a catch a means-:ior so, securing saith lat-cit bar and'saiid catch, on such: gateand ja'tnb:respiecthzehr means supporting said element, norupward tolift said; latch, har'a distance fair cleaning: the upper end of one of saidiopgosed; members to thereby: permit swinging: of: such gatet'i oiree direction, depressible means; adapted. (:05 project laterally from opposite oi; such gate; and jamb for actuation either side. or; said. gate and connected with; saidelementrm causing said movement, gate. actuating connected-with said element andlmovable generallytlaterallt in said one directionuponsaid upward, of said element, means: adapted to bescnredi to such gate for engagement by said gate: actuating means upon said lateral movement oil-the. latter for forcibly swinging said. gate in; said. one direction upon actuation ofi d'epressibli'e for elevating said elememzandisaid latch: bar;

4. A latch including: ax horizontaliyextendmg latch bar pivoted atorie end. for upward swinging of the opposite end, acatch. ahoriizontally extending arm. having a vertically-extending projection at one end rigid therewith, means pivotally supporting said arm at a point intermediate its ends forupwardswinging of said one endand for generally lateral swingi ng of said projection in one direction upon depres sion of the opposite end oi said arm, separate means for securing saidlatch bar on a gate and for securing said arm ontheiamb of suchggate with said opposite end, o f said bar extending transversely across said and closely adjacemigsaid projection, and means adaptedtobe secured to such gate above said ,latchbatior engag ment by said projection upon saidjateral swinging of the latterfor forcibly swingingysaid gate. said one direction when the said opposite end of said arm is depressed.

5. A latch including a horizontally extending latch bar pivoted at one end for upward swinging of the opposite end, a catch including a horizontally extending arm having a vertically extending projection at one end rigid therewith, means pivotally supporting said arm at a point intermediate its ends for upward swinging of said one end and for generally lateral swinging of said projection in one direction upon depression of the opposite end of said arm, separate means for securing said latch bar on a gate and for securing said arm on the lamb of such gate with said opposite end of said bar extending transversely across said arm closely adjacent said projection, and means adapted to be secured to such gate above said latch bar for engagement by said projection upon said lateral swinging of the latter for forcibly swinging said gate in said one direction when the said opposite end of said arm is depressed, a, weight connected with said arm for automatically swinging said projection back to vertically extending position after said lateral movement.

6. A latch including a horizontally extending latch bar pivoted at one end for upward swingo. 1 the plate is secured to the jamb, means con- 6 or theopposit end,; a catch including a: ho'rl zontally extending, arm having a vertically ex tendin pwieotion at one end rig-id; therewith, meansz'pivotally supporting said arm at a: point intermediate its, ends for upward swinging of said one end and: for general-13 lateral swinging of said projectionv in one, direction upon depres sion of the opposite.- end or. said arm; separate means: or securing said; latch bar on a gate'and for securing; said arm on the j'amb of. SHCIII gate with saidlopposite end: of said'bar extending transversely across saidarm closely adjacent said projection, and means adapted to. beisecured; to such gate above saidlatch barfor engagement by said projection upon. said lateral swinging. of the latter for forcibly swinging said" gate insaid one direction when the said opposite end of said arm-isdepressed, said opposite end of said arm extending horizontally outwardly of one side: of said: gate and jamb when said latch. bar and; said catch are so secured on said-gate and lamb, depressible means connected: with said; am and projecting fromv the opposite-side of such gate and jamb, and means connecting said depressible meanswith said arm' for causingdownward move,- ment of the said opposite. end of said am upon depression of said depressiblemeanswhereby said gate may be swung. open from: either side ofsaid gate by similar operations.

Z. A latch including a horizontally extending latch bar pivoted at, one end for upward swinging of the opposite end; a catch including a horizontally extending arm having. a. vertically extending project-ion at one end rigidtherewith, means pivotally'supporting said-arm at a, point intermediate-its ends for-upwardswinging ofi saidone end and: for generallyla'teral swinging of saidprojectiorr in one direction upon depression of' the; opposite end of said arm, separate means forgsecuring: saidlatch bar: on a gate and for securing. said arm on the jambof suchv gate with said opposite end of said bar. extending-transversely acrosssaid arm: closely adjacentsaid. projection, and means adapted to be secured "to such gate above said latch bar forengagement by said projection upon said lateral swinging of the latter for forcibly swinging saidgateinsaid'one direction when the said opposite end of said arm is depressed, said opposite end of said arm being adjacent the ground for actuation by the foot of a person, and means adjacent said projection in opposed relation to said projection for securing said latch bar against lateral movement until depression of said arm.

8. A latch including a horizontally extending latch bar pivoted at one end for upward swinging of the opposite end, a catch including a horizontally extending first arm, a plate, means pivotally supporting said arm to said plate at a point intermediate the ends of said arm for upward swinging of one end thereof upon depression of the other end, separate means for securing said pivotally secured to the side of said plate opposite said first arm, said first arm and said second arm projecting from opposite edges of said plate and from opposite sides of said jamb when necting said first arm and said second arm for simultaneous downward movement of their projecting ends and upward movement of said one end of said first arm upon depression of either of said projecting ends, a weight connected with said first arm adjacent its said one end for automatically elevating said projecting ends to normal predepressed position after depression thereof and release of said arms, gate actuating means rigidly connected with said first arm for lateral swinging upon depression thereof, and means adapted to be rigidly secured to said gate in a position for engagement by said gate actuating means for forcible movement in one lateral direction for swinging said gate in said direction.

9. A latch including a horizontally extending latch bar pivoted at one end for upward swinging of the opposite end, a catch including a horizontally extending first arm, a plate, means pivotally supporting said arm to said plate at a point intermediate the ends of said arm for upward swinging of one end thereof upon depression of the other end, separate means for securing said latch bar on a gate and for securing said plate on the jamb with said opposite end of said bar extending over said one end of said arm at substantially right angles to the latter, a second arm pivotally secured to the side of said plate opposite said first arm, said first arm and said second arm projecting from opposite edges of said plate and from opposite sides of said jamb when the plate is secured to the jamb, means connecting said first arm and said second arm for simultaneous downward movement of their projecting ends and upward movement of said one end of said first arm upon depression of either of said projecting ends, a weight connected with said first arm adjacent its said one end for automatically elevating said projecting ends to normal predepressed position after depression thereof and release of said arms, gate actuating means rigidly connected with said first arm for lateral swinging upon depression thereof, and means adapted to be rigidly secured to said gate in a position for engagement by said gate actuating -means for forcible movement in one lateral di rection for swinging said gate in said direction, stationary means on said plate for securing said latch bar against movement laterally in said one direction when said one end of said first arm is in its lowered position before depression of its other end.

10. A latch including a horizontall extending latch bar pivoted at one end for upward swinging of the opposite end, a catch including a horizontally extending first arm, a plate, means pivotally supporting said arm to said plate at a point intermediate the ends of said arm for upward swinging of one end thereof upon depression of the other end, separate means for securing said latch bar on a gate and for securing said plate on the jamb with said opposite end of said bar extending over said one end of said arm at substantially right angles to the latter, a second arm pivotally secured to the side of said plate opposite said first arm, said first arm and said second arm projecting from opposite edges of said plate and'from opposite sides of said jamb when the plate is secured to the jamb, means connecting said first arm and said second arm for simultaneous downward movement of their pro-' jecting ends and upward movement of said one end ofsaid first arm upon depression of either of said projecting ends, a weight connected with said first arm adjacent its said one end for automatically elevating said projecting ends to normal predepressed position after depression thereof and release of said arms, gate actuating means rigidly connected with said first arm for lateral swinging upon depression thereof, and means adapted to be rigidly secured to said gate in a position for engagement by said gate actuating means for forcible movement in one lateral direction for swinging said gate in said direction, means for releasably locking said first and second arms against movement thereof.

CHESTER E. DOLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

